Bill's passage through Parliament not assured

DESPITE today's introduction of Professor Finlay's private member's Bill - the first and only attempt to fulfil the National Assembly resolution made in January - its passage through Parliament is not assured.

DESPITE today's introduction of Professor Finlay's private member's Bill - the first and only attempt to fulfil the National Assembly resolution made in January - its passage through Parliament is not assured.

For Wales to be granted the enabling powers it needs to ban smoking, Prof Finlay's Bill must first pass the House of Lords

before it can be passed by the House of Commons and become law.

But because peer's Bills usually reach the Commons late in the session they are likely to be behind Commons Bills in the queue.

John Jenkins, spokesman for the British Medical Association in Wales, said,

"It is hoped the Bill will make its way through both the House of Lords and the Commons with the support of Welsh members.